Quitting 9 to 5: There’s Other Ways To Make A Living

I’m not 100% sure whether Dolly Parton would approve of my new lyrics but that my friends is exactly what I’ve just done. I’ve just handed in my notice at my corporate job. I feel a bit numb as I type this to be honest with you.

I think maybe I should take it back a few steps…

In 2014 I went on maternity leave to have my daughter and left my job behind for a whole 12 months. I was lucky, I knew that I had a job I could return to (if I wanted) and they offered flexible working options — rare across the country for many women in their corporate roles.

I returned to work exactly a year later working with a lovely lady in another department doing what I loved most — digital marketing. This woman went on to become a very good friend as well as my boss. Working with her has been an absolute dream. I’ve seen her get married, have a baby of her own, I even covered her role while she went on maternity leave. We work incredibly well together and have each other’s back.

But in December 2016, on New Year’s Eve, I launched my own business. I clicked ‘publish’ on the website and my other baby was out in the world. I’d been working on it for the previous 6 months and despite having high hopes for it, I never really knew whether it would be “a thing”. I dreamed it would be, I hoped it would be and I worked my butt off every evening and weekend praying it would be.

AND IT IS.

My business is definitely “a thing”, it’s so much more than that – it is me.

So, how did I get to today you might be wondering, how did I finally take the leap?

I remember researching, asking and reading so many things…

“What do I need to do to leave my job and run my own business?”
“How do I make the leap into my own business?”
“How can I ever leave the 9-5?”
“Is working for yourself even really possible?!”

If you’re reading this now and you’re where I was exactly 24 hours ago, you’ve probably Googled all this too. I was worried about how much money I would need behind me, about whether I could do it. I don’t know about you but I’ve always felt like this is something other people do — this isn’t something I could do… is it?

But after reading countless articles and scouring forums, staring at my bank balance, my mind overwhelmed with thoughts and plans, I realised I actually only needed a few things to make this jump and I had them already. They’d been there all along.

The love and support of my husband.

He has encouraged me to do this every step of the way, pulled me up when I felt overwhelmed, dried my tears when I felt I couldn’t do it, celebrated the wins and held my hand when I made the decision.

The love and support of family and friends.

I’ve had amazing support from my family despite this being new to them, a very different way of working and I know they’re worried about it. My close friends are too. But they’ve got my back that’s for sure.

The love and support from my Instagram Gang

As soon as I launched I was out there getting ‘social’ and almost instantly was supported by a whole gang of wonderful people who’ve been there for me ever since. I cannot describe how amazing those people have been.

And finally…

Me. All I need is me.

I’m super excited about the future for me, my family and my business. I’ve been in other people’s employment since I was 17. That’s 17 years this year — half of my life. Launching my own thing is a new, exciting and scary world but I can’t wait.

I actually felt sick this morning. Part anxiety, part guilt because I do love my job, I love my boss and my colleagues. I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve experienced with them. I guess I feel like I’m letting them down. For them, there’s no good time for this type of news.

Maxine Kerley — founder of Digital Bon Bons. Dweller in the Garden of England with hubby Patrick, daughter Ava and cat, Betsie. Lover of tea and powered by Mini Eggs. When she's not wearing her Boss hat she can be found at the cinema, or curled on the settee with a magazine.